Hinge construction



June 28, 1955 MAGNU$QN 2,711,556

HINGE CONSTRUCTION Filed March 19, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 w ZZ Z? 2235. 5 22 34 fizz @2122" 5425K fijya rzwvb June 28, 1955 I K. K. MAGNUSON 2,711,556

I HINGE CONSTRUCTION Filed March 19, 1952- 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lizue/zzbf HINGE CONSTRUCTION Karl K. Magnuson, Marinette, Wis., assiguor to Heywood- Wakefield Company, Gardner, Mass a corporation of Massachusetts Application March 19, 1952, Serial No. 277,441

3 Claims. (Cl. 16-141) This invention relates to improvements in hinge construction and it consists of the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved hinge construction especially adapted for use between the stationary top part of a school desk and the lid or cover thereof, which isnoiseless in operation, which will hold the lid in open position when desired and which is so constructed that when the lid or cover is started in a swing toward closed position, will so control said swing that said cover or lid cannot drop or slam to said closed position with a possible injury to the user.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge construction, by means of which the closing movement of the cover or lid of the desk is controlled through frictionally engaged parts that are enclosed entirely within one of the leaf-like elements of the construction, so that such parts cannot be engaged by the fingers of the hand, even whenthe cover or the lid is in the open position.

Also it is an object of the invention to provide, in a hinge construction of this kind, an arrangement of parts whereby the maximum area for frictional engagements of parts thereof is afforded, while keeping the size of the construction within practical limits required in school desks.

Again, it is an object of the invention to provide a hinge construction of this kind which, while eflicient in operation, is simple in construction for low cost production and is easy to assemble as a unit for application to a school desk.

Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a hinge construction wherein the parts thereof are so arranged that while limiting the stacking height of books and other items placed in the desk by the user, affords a maximum amount of usable space in the desk for such books and other items.

Also it is an object of the invention to provide a hinge construction of this kind, wherein the relatively movable parts are entirely enclosed and in such a manner that the user, generally a child, cannot reach them to tamper therewith and possibly make the same inoperative.

Likewise it is an object of the invention to provide a hinge construction which need not be made in pairs of rights and lefts, but when used in a desk have a mated appearance when the desk is in the open condition.

The above mentioned objects of the invention, as well as others, along with the several advantages thereof, will more fully appear as the specification proceeds.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of one form of the improved hinge construction when applied to a fixed part of a school desk top and associated lid or cover (which are in section), the parts of the hinge construction being shown in the position which they occupy when the cover or lid of the desk is closed.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the hinge construction when the parts thereof are in the position which they occupy in Fig. 1.

nited States Patent Patented June 28, 1955 Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through the hinge construction as taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2, illustrating the position the parts take when the cover or lid of the desk is open, the lid and cover being shown in section.

Figs. 4 and 5 are transverse vertical sectional views through the improved hinge construction as taken on the lines 44 and 55 respectively of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one leaf-like part of the hinge construction.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the other leaf-like part of the hinge construction.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of a pair of counterpart friction shoe members forming a part of the improved hinge construction.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a sinuous spring element employed between the shoes, one of which appears in Fig. 8 for forcing said shoes apart and into frictional engagements with portions of the leaf-like part shown in Fig. 7. t

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the improved construction, which is especially adapted for use in connection with parts of a school desk, later mentioned, includes a pair of hinge leaf elements 10 and 11 respectively, which best appear in perspective in Figs. 6 and .7 respectively.

The leaf element 10 embodies a vertically edgewise disposed flange-like body 12 which is provided for a part of its length, at one end, with a horizontal flange 13, suitably apertured to receive screws 14 by which the element can be attached to the underside of the upper horizontal portion of the stationary part 15 of the school desk before mentioned. Said screws best appear in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 4 respectively of the drawings. The other end of the flange 12 is formed to provide an arm-like extension 16 having a hole 17 therethrough for a purpose to appear later. Rising from the upper portion of the body 12, between the flange 13 and arm extension 16, is an arm 18 that extends above the plane of the flange 13, said arm having a hole 19 therein for a purpose to appear later. When the element 10 is attached to the desk top 15, the arm 18 thereof extends into a recess 15a in the front bottom portion of said top and the arm extension 16 is disposed forwardly of said front portion of the top, as best appears in Figs. 1 and 3.

The leaf element 11 has a body of a channel-like cross section that includes a bottom wall 20, laterally spaced upright walls 21-21, each of which terminates in an outwardly extending horizontal flange 22. These flanges are apertured to receive screws 23 by which the element can be attached to the underside of the rear portion of the cover or lid v24 of the desk. When this lid is'in its closed position as shown in Fig. 1 it extends downwardly and forwardly from the front portion of the top 15 and when said lid is in its open position as shown in Fig. 3 it extends upwardly and forwardly from said front portion of the top.

The channel as provided by the-walls 2021 is open at the rear end and is closed at the front end by an upwardly curved portion of the bottom wall, as best appears in Figs. 1 and 2. Parts of the side walls 21 project rearwardly beyond the rear end of the bottom wall as extensions 25, the extremities of which are turned inwardly as flanges 26, the opposed facing edges of which are spaced apart on the longitudinal median line of the element. Top portions 27 of said extensions 25 are turned inwardly and then upwardly as arms 28. These arms are spaced apart on the longitudinal median line of the element, a distance suflicient to receive the arm 18 of the element 10 between them. The arms 28 rivet 3t) therethrough. The rivet 30 also passes through the hole 19 in the arm 18, thereby hingedly connecting the elements and 11 together for a swinging movement between two angular positions. When said elements are so hingedly connected together, the extension 1610f inember It) is disposed between the extensions of the element 11/ The flanges 26 of the last mentioned extensions are disposed, one on each side of, and directed toward 'the fiange-likepart 12 of the element 10.

Friction means is employed in connection with the elements it) and 11 so that when they are attached to the top lfiand lid'Zdof the desk, as before mentioned, the swinging movement of the lid may be controlled to such an extent that the lid cannot drop or slam downwardly from its open position which appears in Fig. 3. Said friction means is 'so constructed and arranged in the channel of the element 11 as to be concealed thereby and at .the same time be protected against tampering by the occupant of .the desk or others.

The said friction means includes among the parts thereof a'pair'of counterpart friction shoes 3232, one of which appears in perspective in Fig. 8. Each shoe includes an elongated plate-like body 33, to the outer side of which a piece of friction material 34 such, for example, as a suitably treated leather is secured. This material may conveniently be fastened to the body 33 by prongs 35 .that are punched outwardly from the body so as to enter said material. The front end of the body is bent inwardly as a flange 36 and the front end is provided with an offset part 37 from which extends an offset arm 38 .in which is a hole 39 for a purpose later to appear. Associated with the counterpart shoes 32 and disposed between the bodies thereof, in the fully assembled hinge, is an expander element 40 in the form of a piece of sinuously formed spring metal, which best appears in .perspective in Fig. 9. When said spring element is in place between a pair of friction shoes, it functions to urge the shoes outwardly to bring the material 34 thereof into snug engagement with the inner surface of the side walls 21 of the element 11.

The arms 38 of the bodies 33 in the assembled hinge are disposed one on each side of the arm extension 16 of the element 10, a headless pin 41 being passed through the openings 39 and 17 of said arms and arm extension to operatively connect them together. This pin extends outwardly beyond the arms 38, each end of said pin having a collar 42 applied thereto (see Fig. 2), the collars and pin being confined against displacement by the .parts 25 of the element 11.

It is to be noted that the element 10 is fixed to the stationary top part 15 of the desk and the element 11 is fixed to the .lid or cover of the desk, which is capable of being swung, between its open and closed positions, about the rivet 30 as an axis. In the swinging movement of the lid or cover in either direction the friction means (comprising the elements 32 and expander 40) which is pivotally connected to the element 10 will move longitudinally relative'to the element 11. By reason of the min is prevented. Hence safety of the occupant is engagement of the friction material 34 carried by the shoes 32, with' the walls 21 of the element 11, free swinging movement of the lid in either direction (toward open or closed position) is prevented. Thus, some force is necessary to swing the lid or cover between open and closed positions and vice versa.

In the specific structure illustrated, the cover, when in closed position, is inclined so that the included angle between the top surface of the cover and a horizontal plane coincident with that of the top surface of the stationary part of the desk is approximately 10 degrees.

Also the arrangement of the parts of the hinge is such that between wholly closed and wholly open positions is approximately 78 degrees.

"The design of the parts is also such the engagement of the frictional material 34 with the walls of the member 11, under the action of the spring 40, will cause the cover to remain static within an arc of approximately assured, as well as the prevention of unnecessary noise.

When the lid or cover is swung to its wide open position the flanges 26 on the parts 25 of the element 11 will engage the spacing collars 42 on the pin 41, thus forming a limiting stop, as is best shown in Fig. 3.

It is to be understood that at least two of the hinges are employed in each desk and that such hinges are complete counterparts. Hence, the expense of making right and left hinges is avoided.

It is pointed out that the improved hinge construction is such that where sufiicient space is available in the desk the element 10 may be attached to the cover 24 and the element 11 to the stationary top 15.

However, certain advantages result from attaching the parts in the specific manner illustrated. Thus, the arrangement shown is preferable when the rear wall of the desk is relatively close to the front end of the stationary top of the desk, since a longer member 11 can be accommodated in the limited space between wall 50 and a vertical line through the axis of pivot 3'3.

Again, if the parts were attached in reverse positions the appearance would not be as good since, if a single type hinge structure were used, i. e. no rights or lefts, the flanges 13 of part 10 would both face in the same direction and, being visible when the cover is in open position, would present an unbalanced appearance.

Also, if the part 10 were attached to the cover and part 11 were attached to the stationary part of the desk the open end of part 11 would face'toward the occupant of the desk. It would be much easier, therefore, for the occupant of the desk to insert pins, pencils and the like into the open space and otherwise to tamper with the hinge structure.

In thespecific construction illustrated in the drawings, the cover, when in closed position, is inclined downwardly below the horizontal. Some desks are so designed that the cover occupies a horizontal position when fully closed. The hinge structure described is adapted for use in such arrangements. In that event, however, the included angle between wholly closed and wholly open positions would be approximately 68 degrees, since the illustrated structure is one in which the included angle between a horizontal plane, coincident with that of the top surface of the stationary part and the top surface of the inclined lid is 10 degrees. The fully open position in both cases would be the same so that the cover would still remain static within an arc of approximately 25 degrees from the maximum open position.

While the improved construction of the hinge has been described in connection with a school desk, this is to be considered by way of illustration only and not by way of limitation, because such construction may also be applied to other relatively swinging parts.

Iclaim as my invention: 7

l. A hinge construction embodying therein a pair of end-to-end arranged leaf elements, one of which has a channel-shaped body providing laterally spaced sides affording opposed longitudinal surfaces, the other of said elements having a flange-like body extending longitudinally of and arranged in the median plane of the body of the channel-shaped element with one of its ends disposed between one end of the sides thereof, means providing a pivotal connection between said ends of said bodies and which is otiset with respect thereto, shoe means arranged in the body of the channel-shaped element and including laterally spaced shoe members having surfaces frictionally engaged with the first mentioned surfaces, one end of said shoe members being disposed upon opposite sides of and being pivotally connected to one end of said flange-like body of the other element, the axis of rotation of the last mentioned pivotal connection being spaced and offset from the axis of rotation of the means providing the pivotal connection between the ends of said bodies, and means for urging said shoe members outwardly away from each other to yieldingly engage said surfaces thereof frictionally with the surfaces of the sides of the channel-shaped leaf element. 5

2. A hinge construction embodying therein a pair of end-to-end arranged leaf elements, one of which has a channel-shaped body providing laterally spaced sides affording opposed longitudinal surfaces, the other of said elements having a flange-like body extending longitudinally of the channel-shaped element with one of its'ends disposed between one end of the sides thereof, means providing a pivotal connection between said ends of'said bodies and which is offset with respect thereto, shoe means arranged in the body of the channel-shaped element and including laterally spaced shoe members having surfaces frictionally engaged with the first mentioned surfaces, one end of said shoe members being disposed upon opposite sides of and being pivotally connected to one end of said flange-like body of the other element, the axis of rotation of the last mentioned pivotal connection being spaced and offset from the axis of rotation of the means providing the pivotal connection between the ends of said bodies, and means for urging said shoe members outwardly away from each other to yieldingly engage said surfaces thereof frictionally with the surfaces of the sides of the channel-shaped leaf element.

3. A hinge construction embodying therein a pair of end-to-end arranged leaf elements, one of which has a channel-shaped body providing laterally spaced sides affording opposed longitudinal surfaces, the other of said elements having a flange-like body extending longitudinally of the body of the channel-shaped element, adjacent end portions of said elements being positioned in overlapping relationship, a pivotal connection between said ends of said bodies and which is offset with respect thereto, shoe means arranged in the body of the channel-shaped element and including laterally spaced shoe members having surfaces frictionally engaged with the first mentioned surfaces, means pivotally connecting one end of said shoe members to one end of said flange-like body of the other element, the axis of rotation of the last mentioned means being spaced and offset from the axis of rotation of the means providing the pivotal connection between said elements, means for urging said shoe members outwardly away from each other to yieldingly engage said surfaces thereof frictionally with the surfaces of the sides of the channel-shaped leaf element, and at least one of said channel-shaped members having means projecting inwardly from an end portion and so positioned that when the leaf elements are swung to open position said means will engage structure at the pivot between said one leaf element and the shoe means and act to prevent further swinging movement in that direction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 313,457 Tuerk Mar. 3, 1885 1,225,862 Saxe May 15, 1917 1,713,561 Sibley May 21, 1929 1,791,691 Stevens Feb. 10, 1931 1,905,858 Hamilton Apr. 25, 1933 2,108,891 Johnson Feb. 22, 1938 

